NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard completed cleanup operations of the oil spill near Vicksburg, Miss., Feb.6.
After extensive shoreline assessments and subsequent clean up actions the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi DEQ and the Coast Guard have deemed the cleanup complete. Agencies will continue to monitor for any environmental impacts from this spill.
During the course of the cleanup 5,300 feet of boom was deployed to contain the spill and 159 workers responded to the incident.
"Due to the quick response and cooperation of all the agencies involved, we were able to resolve the situation in a safe and timely manner," said Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Walthour, the incident commander for the cleanup operations in Vicksburg.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River received notification Jan. 27 at 1:30 a.m., reporting that two tank barges, towed by the tug Nature's Way Endeavor, allided with the Vicksburg Railroad river bridge. Both of the tank barges were loaded with crude oil; both of the barges were damaged, and one released oil into the lower Mississippi River.
There were no injuries or impacted wildlife reported.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident
